REVO

[Interview] Professor Hyoung-Il Kim from Severance Hospital & Dr. Cao Minh Tiep from Viet Tiep Friendship Hospital

Sharing Revo-i Experience with Vietnamese Surgeons— Guided by Prof. Hyoung-Il Kim

meerecompany launched the SurgeSync Camp (SSC) program, aimed at international medical professionals who wish to experience Korea’s advanced robotic surgery systems firsthand.

The SSC program is conducted at Korean medical institutions equipped with the Revo-i system. Upon completion of the training, participants receive an official certificate from the host institution. The training focuses on hands-on practice using the Revo-i system.

The first SSC began in February with the successful visit of a surgeon from Egypt. In March, a Vietnamese surgeon visited Severance Hospital and participated in the program under the guidance

of Prof. Hyoung-Il Kim from the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery. The session was recognized as a meaningful opportunity to share Korea’s robotic surgery environment. In this context, <Medical Newspaper> conducted an interview with Prof. Hyoung-Il Kim (as proctor) and Dr. Cao Minh Tiep.

The interview covered the value of the SSC international training program, differences between the robotic surgery environments in Vietnam and Korea, and suggestions for introducing Korean robotic surgery systems in Vietnam.

“Severance Hospital Builds Global Trust in Revo-i Through Hands-On Experience”

Prof. Hyoung-Il Kim shared in an interview with <Medical Newspaper>, “It was a meaningful opportunity to share Korea’s robotic surgery experience with international medical professionals and provide hands-on training with Revo-i. I hope this exchange with Vietnamese surgeons serves as a valuable opportunity for mutual growth.”

The program included case observation of Revo-i surgeries, outpatient clinic participation, and ward rounds. It focused on helping participants understand the application and benefits of robotic surgery in real clinical settings. In particular, the program demonstrated that Revo-i enables stable and effective performance of advanced procedures such as total gastrectomy and subtotal gastrectomy.

▲ Dr. Cao Minh Tiep from Viet Tiep Friendship Hospital (left) Professor Hyoung-Il Kim from Severance Hospital (right)

When asked about the distinct advantages of the SSC robotic surgery training program, Prof. Hyoung-Il Kim explained, “Revo-i features an intuitive interface and a compact system that allows for a faster learning curve, especially for beginners. I believe this enables international medical professionals to more easily adapt and absorb the training.”

He stated, “Severance Hospital is one of the most visited institutions by overseas surgeons. Through the SSC program, international participants are given a valuable opportunity to experience the Revo-i system firsthand, while also confirming its stability and usability in real clinical settings. This will help build greater trust in Revo-i in the global market.”

He emphasized that this would help strengthen global trust in the Revo-i system, and added that with the rising demand for high-quality surgeries in East Asia, Vietnam, and Mongolia, more surgeons are showing interest in robotics and laparoscopy. “I hope the expanded SSC program gives many of them the chance to learn and bring that knowledge to their countries,” he said.

He concluded, “To stay competitive, it's essential to build global credibility through clinical experience and data. Revo-i is heading in the right direction by offering practical training and country-specific solutions.”

Interview with Dr. Cao Minh Tiep, Deputy Head of the General Surgery Department at Viet Tiep Friendship Hospital

Q. How was your experience with the training and hands-on sessions provided in the SSC program?

Through the SSC program, I had a valuable opportunity to deeply learn and experience the Revo-i system. I received direct guidance and training from Prof. Hyoung-Il Kim and was also able to observe the surgeries. He generously shared his knowledge and experience, and I’m deeply grateful for his detailed instruction throughout the training. It was a meaningful experience learning robotic surgical techniques, and I will introduce Revo-i to Vietnam.

Q. How would you compare the levels of robotic surgery between Vietnam and Korea?

Robotic surgery was introduced in Vietnam about 10 years ago, but it’s still limited to a few large hospitals due to the high cost. Many patients in Vietnam also tend to visit hospitals at advanced stages of illness, which makes investment in robotic systems more challenging. Robotic surgery remains a new field in Vietnam, and support from companies through training is essential. Since reimbursement policies and surgical techniques are not yet as developed as Korea’s, support will be necessary for robotic surgery to be successfully established.

Q. What do you think is the most important factor for Korean robotic systems to gain traction in Vietnam?

Price competitiveness is the most critical factor. Vietnam’s healthcare system is largely public, and medical devices are typically procured through a bidding process. Therefore, systems that meet technical requirements while offering reasonable prices are prioritized. For robotic systems, competitive pricing will be key to successful adoption.

Q. If Revo-i is introduced in Vietnam, what kind of impact do you expect?

If Revo-i becomes available in Vietnam, we would definitely use it. Public hospitals must go through bidding processes when acquiring equipment, and cost-effective systems that meet technical requirements are more likely to be selected. Revo-i’s competitive pricing can help reduce the financial burden on patients and is expected to become a preferred option for hospitals.

This article was published by the Korean media Medical Newspaper on April 1, 2025.

Link: http://www.bosa.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=2245307